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Leadership Thought #292 – Set A Positive and Proactive Tone on Mondays

January 30, 2012

Free Cheerful young ethnic male athlete in sportswear smiling and showing fist while standing against brick wall after successful workout in gym Stock Photo

Based on everything I have read and observed it is safe to assume that most people don’t like their jobs or at least have a “work to live” mindset.  Work is something they must do rather than something they enjoy doing.  I encourage you to challenge this thinking and seek out the good in your work and in the people, you work with.  After all, you are going to be spending a considerable amount of time at your job, so why not try to make it more enjoyable?  Here are some simple tips about how to set a positive and proactive tone for each workweek:

  • Set the alarm clock a few minutes early and allow yourself more time to wake up and ease into the morning – don’t start the day by rushing out the door
  • Take some deep breaths and stretch for a few minutes when you first get out of bed
  • Have a hearty and healthy breakfast, remember food is fuel
  • Listen to upbeat positive music and avoid TV or radio shows that tend to bum you out or make you angry
  • If you are fortunate to live with family or other loved ones, give everyone a big hug before leaving and wish them a good day
  • Factor traffic into your travel time and give yourself a time buffer
  • While driving to work think about all the good things that happened the previous week.
  • Try and get to work a bit earlier and have a cup of coffee, tea, or water to help you get settled and ready for the day
  • Spend a few minutes thinking through your top 5 priorities for the day and any required action items
  • Tackle your most challenging tasks as early as possible to put them behind you and don’t procrastinate
  • Take a few minutes several times a day to exchange pleasantries with co-workers and give them positive energy
  • Avoid or redirect co-workers who are complainers and negative influences
  • Look for opportunities to laugh and to make others laugh
  • Make sure you take your full lunch break and if possible, go outside and get some fresh air
  • If you are having difficulties or conflicts with a co-worker, try and hash it out in a mature fashion rather than let it escalate or linger
  • Before leaving work take a few minutes to debrief on how the day went
  • Try not to plan or schedule anything right after work that forces you to rush out the door at the end of the day
  • If possible, exercise for a few minutes before dinner
  • Do your best to eat a healthy and well-balanced dinner
  • When you get home, leave work at work, and focus on being the best husband, dad, sibling, and friend you can be
  • If you live alone, call someone you care about and check in with them
  • Don’t be a couch potato in front of the TV, do something constructive with your downtime
  • Go to bed earlier than usual and make sure you get your rest

 

I guarantee you that if you use the above list of tips as a checklist for your workdays, you will begin to feel better at work.  Remember, you don’t have to dread Monday mornings or your workweek, it is a conscious choice.  In addition, if you are perpetually unhappy, find another job.